This is the third time I’ve watched this play, and it gets better every time. From the poignant end-scene with Gerry Adams sitting with his child upon his knee telling him ‘this is a new page, only you can write it…’ we’re invited to join in. Much of the world may look upon Martin Lynch’s writing as pure brilliance: and most of them would be right.

Ivan Little, Conor Grimes and Alan Mckee bring a sparkling script to life; anyone who tries to take the risk of writing such emphatic words, could learn a lot from Lynch, Grimes and McKee.

The stage is nothing more than a three dimensional waterfall of pictures strung on wire; the pictures from our vantage point have no bearing on the troubles, as far as I can see. But they do allow the actors to walk  in and out of the action – if such a word can be employed here? It’s dialogue which drives this play along.

The crux comes to life through Ivan Little’s portrayal of Gerry Courtney (Da); Mckee and the sublime Conor Grimes portray 11 characters only Belfast can offer.

We’re led tumbling through the horrific years, eyes are opened, laughter spills through the theatre; misery turned to comedy.

A quick re-arrangement of the chairs and stools set a make-shift barricade.  One could see this as a pro-nationalist play, if that’s the case, one would be wrong. If Lynch and cohorts stand trial of any crime, sectarianism is not on the list.

Little plays a steadfast but little comedic part: Conor Grimes – mainly as Fireball, with his camp lisp, obsession with darts, gambling and almost too convincing mincing, carries the gags with aplomb. Understated, and possibly overlooked, Alan McKee plays a knock-kneed array of characters rebounding off Grimes’ extrovert roles.

You know you’re watching a grand play when you put your note pad down and just join in the laughter. You know you’re watching brilliance when it tickles your throat, hurts your gut and delivers a poignant message to your heart.

By Conor O’Neill

The History of the troubles According to My Da plays at the Grand Opera House from November 7 – November 12 www.goh.co.uk 028 9024 1919

The tour also runs at the marketplace theatre Armagh 14 – 15 November www.marketplace.com 028 3752 1821. Student Arts centre, Omagh www.struleartscentre.co.uk 028 8224 7831. Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen 18 19 November www.ardhowentheatre.com 028 6635 5440